Callum Riley: Trio guilty of boy's cannabis debt stab murder

Callum Riley's family said his death was a "huge loss in our lives"

Two men and a teenager have been found guilty of murdering a boy in a row over a cannabis drug debt.

Callum Riley, 17, and his friend were stabbed at a house in Heywood, Rochdale, in September 2022.

They were then chased away and Callum was found collapsed on Atholl Drive and died a short time later.

Tony Adams, 34, Dale Heywood, 26, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty after a Manchester Crown Court trial.

They were also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a 20-year-old man.

In a tribute after his death, Callum's mother said he had a "good heart" and was "loved so deeply".

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Callum died from a single stab wound to the back of his left thigh.

Baseball bat

There "was bad blood" between Callum and Adams due to a cannabis debt owed by the teenager, it added.

The trial heard Callum and his friend had gone to Adams' house armed with glass bottles, to exact revenge following threats and damage to his own house.

But Adams, Heywood and the 17-year-old "were prepared" for their arrival and opened the door armed with a knife and a baseball bat between them, the CPS said.

Both were stabbed and chased from the house before Callum collapsed in the street.

His friend was treated in hospital after being stabbed in his stomach.

Callum was found with serious injuries on Atholl Drive, in Heywood

Rebecca Macaulay-Addison, from CPS North West, said Adams and his associates could have phoned the police but instead "chose to arm themselves and fight, with fatal consequences".

"The prosecution team worked with Greater Manchester Police from an early stage in the investigation to build a strong case to show that Adams, Heywood and the 17-year-old boy were jointly responsible for the death of Callum Riley," she added.

"Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Callum Riley at this difficult time."

Adams, of Minshull New Road, Crewe, was convicted of murder and assault and admitted possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

Heywood, of Windermere Road, Middleton, was convicted of murder, assault, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

The 17-year-old boy was convicted of murder, section 18 assault, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

They are due to be sentenced on 4 June.